Sunday, September 18, 2011

Market Preparation

WOW exciting times are ahead for the Market Team and our fabulous retailers. We have the Little Feet Festival on 30th October and then our BIG BIRTHDAY Market on 20th November. Yes we are turning one and we want you all to celebrate by making this the most successful market ever for both the market girl team and you our retailers







So we have put together a little list for you all to help make this your most successful market ever. Also remember that even if this is not you first market you may still get that “OMG what am I doing, why did I say I would do this and the best why am I paying to put myself in this much pain” kind of moments. These are normal and if you turn it around to believe that nervous is really excited you will be so much better. Treat this as excitement for how well you are going to do on market day and how exciting that you are getting your products out there and that your business is only going to get bigger and better from this day. PREPARATION IS THE KEY, if you are prepared you will feel much calmer.






Also it is beautiful timing coming up to Christmas, the weather is wonderful and everyone in happy and ready to shop.


PRIOR TO MARKET DAY


• Set up your display at home this allows you to work on it until you are happy without the pressure of time constraints.


• Once you are happy take a photograph so on the day you can just set up straight away without having to fuss about what goes where (this is also excellent if you have a helper so it is set up the way you want it set up)


• Visit markets and work out what you like in a stall and what attracts you. Also see what stalls are the busiest and why.


• Decide on what you are going to wear, you don’t want to be uncomfortable it will be a long day and also you don’t want to be stressing on the morning of Market Day. What image so you want to portray to your customers. You are part of your brand so make sure your image is consistent with your brand.


• Make sure you do as much as possible before market day, which includes pricing products, making signs, wrapping products that need to be wrapped prior to selling, label/stamp all bags, receipts and promotional material.


• Get an early night, we know this is easier said than done. But you will need to be bright and fresh the next day.


• What do you want and expect when you buy something from a market stall. Do you want your products beautifully wrapped? Do you want prices easy to see? Do you want to be able to touch and feel the products? Well the chances are that your customers are exactly like you and want what you want so bear that in mind.


MARKET DAY


DO


• SMILE … it goes a long way


• Welcome people looking at your stall – say hello, engage them with a simple comment … “how are you enjoying the market” is always an easy one if nothing else seems appropriate :)


• Introduce yourself to your stall neighbours – you meet some great and really interesting people and can learn some tips about other markets you may not know about among other things


• Be courteous, friendly and open to discussing your products and why you do what you do (if asked!).


• Go the extra mile … don’t have what your customer is looking for? Suggest an alternative or let them know you are happy to make custom orders.


• Be attentive – if you see someone looking at a particular product but making a comment to their friend that they’re not sure about the colour and you have others under your table – let the customer know. This is not the same as ‘pouncing’ described under things to avoid below


• Make eye contact – We know this sounds obvious, but we find this all the time






AVOID (at all costs!)…


• Looking bored, tired, and disinterested – not good looks and not going to get you sales :). (the early night will help here)


• Ignoring customers. A relative or friend has come to visit? Probably best to leave big catch ups till after the market (or when you have a break in traffic) – people looking at your stall can feel like an intruder and will move on if they feel they are interrupting your private conversations. (This applies to texting and taking mobile phone calls as well)


• Getting in customers way – there’s really no need to reach across someone, rearrange something, or just generally stand in the wrong place when someone’s looking at your stall – give them room to move and look.


• Pouncing on people and not letting them go …Leave it to the tele-sales people – they get hung up on… you’ll likely get the in-person equivalent if you try this approach!


• Dissing the market/organizers – it really is best to tell the organizer if you have a problem, not your customers.


• Gossip – Oh my goodness, as a customer I’ve heard this more than once – a stallholder talking to her helper “See that guy over there? He used to go out with ….”, “Check out that woman at the next stall’s hair”. Ah, no thanks!!


• Packing up your stall while customers are still looking…. please No, no, no. Wait till they’ve gone, and if someone comes along in the middle of packing… stop. Still a potential customer, still deserving of your attention and time.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Applications are open for November Market Girl

Applications are open for handmade, unique & boutique businesses within Australia to be at the next Market Girl.
DATE: Sunday 20th November
TIME: 10am - 3pm
VENUE: Melville Recreation Centre
To apply download an application form click here
So if you would like to retail be at our handmade boutique market we would love to hear from you.



Wednesday, September 7, 2011

What do you want ???

Hi Everyone
We would love to hear from you about what you would like to see on the Market Girl Blog.
Let us know.
The Market Girls

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Patterns and Recipes from Market Girl





For those of you that didn't make it to the Pregnancy, Babies and Children's Expo on the weekend, we were giving out some fun and easy recipes and patterns. So here they are for you. Enjoy making and baking and make sure you comment and let us know how you went.











Thursday, July 28, 2011

21st August Market Girl


Our next market date is 21st August at Joondalup Reception Centre 10am - 3pm.
Plenty of handmade, unique & boutique retailers for your shopping pleasure.
Free entry & free parking & remember first 200 through the door (1 per family) receives a goodie bag!
Hope to see you all there....feel free to share this with your friends & family.

Visit our Meet our retailers page to see all our fantastic retailers that will be there.

Monday, May 9, 2011

May 29th Melville Recreation Centre


Put this in your diary!
It is our first South of the river Market Girl & it is going to be huge.
head over to our website to see our retailers for May.
See you all there.